I have only done the Cassiar Hwy once and that was in 1981 in a car. The first 100 miles were paved as was the last 80 miles. Everything else in between was gravel and quite rough in places. Still, it's a very scenic route and if one intends on riding the highway both ways, it would be worth considering taking the Cassiar at least one way.

On the Alaska Hwy, there are few town and darned few communities, most of which seem to center around some sort of lodge or construction camp. One notable place is Toad River Lodge. I can't speak for the lodging, but they serve up a terrific breakfast. And don't expect too much at Watson Lake. They have a couple motels there, but they're definitely not 4-star! At least there are a couple garages and auto parts stores there, as well as gasoline. Just to the north where the Cassiar Hwy intersects, there is a pretty nice restaurant with gas pumps.

Just a couple of notes: the Cassiar is completely paved now except for a couple of short stretches, too short to mention. And Watson Lake has one of the more unique motels up there, the impeccably-neat Air Force Lodge (I think it is called) which was built as officer's quarters for U.S. Air Force personnel stationed at Watson Lake when we were ferrying military aircraft across to the Russians during WWII. The old wooden terminal and tower at the airport is still in use as well, and the museum there is worth a visit.

And that restaurant/gas station/campground N of Watson Lake may have good food (I didn't eat there) but the campground has some kind of insect that will leave you itching for weeks! Those were some of the worst bug bites I've ever had -- AVOID THE CAMPGROUND!

__________________
2008 DL650A
"What good does it do to save the planet if humanity suffers?" -- Exxon/Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson

I know that Alaska is on the bucket list for many riders, but there are roads and view vistas in the U.S. and Canadian Rockies, coast ranges, and B.C. coast that are equally spectacular and easier & quicker to get to. Many have been mentioned already.

One trip planner mentioned riding around Mt. Rainier on their way south to Boise. The Mt. Rainier ride has some spectacular moments, but all in all I'd rather cross the Cascade range in B.C. or Washington SR-20 North Cascades highway, then south down the Rocky Mountain spine of Idaho.

With customs you never know what to expect. I always drive up, passport in hand, remove my sunglasses, look the inspector in the eye, and answer the questions courteously and concisely. One Canadian inspector asked if I'd ever been convicted of a crime. A U.S. drunk driving conviction, even years ago, is reason to be excluded from Canada. The U.S. inspectors are usually tougher. Depending on the state of their supervisors hemorrhoids, don't be surprised if you're told to pull over and empty things out.

I haven't spent much time in AK but the Yukon is spectacular. If you like history, Dawson City is the place for you, Ride north from Whitehorse on highway #2, I started staying at the hostel across the Yukon River, but decided I liked cleanness, and moved to the Dawson City RV park for camping. Take a day, visit the dredge and the museum. From Dawson take the top of the world highway #9 back to AK, the Canadian side is good, the American side is rougher([I'm told its a goat trail in the rain)no Wingabeggos, or Harley's] to connect to the AK hw fifteen or twenty miles south of Tok.
Another great side route is to ride to Skagway, AK ferry to Hanes, and then ride north through to Hanes jct to rejoin the AK HW, This is some of the most spectacular riding that I had to blitz through due to time constraints.
One more thing to plan for is tire changes, the Honda dealer in Whitehorse is use to people like us. Phone ten days in advance to order the tires you want, and make a appointment.
Have a great trip.

I live about an hour and a half from Dawson creek. About 20 mins out of town there is a small detour down the old Alaska highway over a curved wooden bridge crossing the Kiskatenaw river, I recommend checking it out.

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